Sen. Darline Graham Nordone (R-SC), the sister of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), confirmed she will run in the upcoming special primary in South Carolina to replace her brother on the ballot.
President Donald Trump, in a recent Truth Social post, encouraged Graham Nordone, who was appointed by South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster (R) last week, to run in the upcoming election.
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“Darline, who comes from an absolutely incredible family, has been a WINNER all of her life and, should she accept, has my Complete and Total Endorsement in the Special Election for U.S. Senate in South Carolina,” the president wrote.
Lindsey Graham died earlier this month due to a heart issue, a preliminary medical report found. The elder Graham adopted his younger sister at age 13 after their parents died within 15 months of each other in 1976 so that she could receive benefits through his military service.
Graham Nordone, who was thought to be her brother’s temporary replacement, confirmed to Fox News’s Sean Hannity that she will seek a full six-year term.
“I have made a decision,” Graham Nordone told Hannity in an interview, which will air in full Monday night. “I’m in.”
“I have been praying a lot, talking to my family, but with the love of my family, with the support of his staff. I know I’m a hard worker. I learned that from Lindsey. He cared about the people of this state. I have worked for almost 30 years for the people of this state,” she also said.
She added she has an “inner peace” about her decision.
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She is a political newcomer aside from appearing at Lindsey’s events and in campaign ads over the years. She spent her career in state disability services, particularly for the blind.
She won’t be alone in the Aug. 11 primary. Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC), who finished third in the June gubernatorial primary, launched a campaign over the weekend. Rep. Russell Fry (R-SC), who was first elected in 2022 after ousting former Rep. Tom Rice (R-SC) for his vote to impeach Trump, announced a bid on Tuesday.
